BT plans to lay fibre optic cables to 10,000 homes in a new development at Ebbsfleet Valley from August. Businesses, community and leisure facilities will also get broadband super-speeds.

But even if you're not willing to up sticks to this newly developed corner of the Garden of England, there's no need to give up hope entirely. BT is introducing 24Mbit/s broadband over copper cable networks this spring.